Winning at least one gold medal will be a great and historic moment for Philippine sports.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said this after the International Olympic Committee Boxing Task Force (IOC-BTF) confirmed that two more boxers have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.
“This is now our best chance to win a gold medal. God willing, it’s a minimum of one,” said Tolentino during the weekly program, “Power and Play” of former PBA commission Noli Eala.
Last Friday, the IOC-BTF confirmed to the POC that Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam gained slots through their world rankings.
Petecio and Paalam joined fellow boxers Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno, who booked tickets through the Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifiers in Amman, Jordan in March, 2020.
The two qualified by virtue of their highest standing in their respective weight categories, according to the Olympic Boxing Task Force rankings.
The four boxers now join pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena and gymnast Carlos Yulo in the list of Filipino Olympic qualifiers.
The POC is still awaiting for confirmation of more entries, with women’s golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan in the reserve list.
Saso has risen in the Olympic golf rankings at no. 22, while Pangdanganan is listed at no. 43.
Olympian Hidilyn Diaz is currently waiting in Malaysia, where she has been undergoing training camp for more than a year. She is waiting for confirmation to join the final qualifying tournament to formalize her fourth straight Olympic appearance.
In athletics, confirmation on the qualification of sprinters Eric Cray and Kristina Knott are being awaited.
Four swimmers Luke Gebbie, Jasmine Alkhaldi, Remedy Rule and James Deipardine have been joining qualifiers in the United States and in Australia.
Athletes in karatedo, judo and rowing are also set to attend qualifiers abroad.